When I sat down with Annie Oxenfeld, I was reminded why her perspective carries so much weight at Xenium. With over a decade of experience here and a career path that’s anything but linear, Annie brings both heart and strategy to the work she does. From building volunteer programs to leading HR teams and now serving as VP of HR Services, her story reflects deep curiosity, real-world business experience, and a strong belief in the human side of HR. In this spotlight, Annie shares her journey, what she’s learned along the way, and how she’s thinking about the future of our work and our industry.
What is your role at Xenium? And how long have you worked here?
I’ve been at Xenium for 11 years, working in a variety of roles. I started on the support team before spending several years as an HR Business Partner. My current position is VP of HR Services.
Tell me about your career progression and what led you to work in at Xenium?
After college, I joined the Americorps VISTA program and built a volunteer program for a drug & alcohol treatment center in Portland. When that position ended, I was offered a role on their HR team. I had no plans to start a career in HR, but I enjoyed it and worked my way up to a leadership position. I eventually left to travel around the world for a year, and when I came back, I started a sustainable clothing business with a friend. Running a business is hard work, and I gained a lot of perspective through that experience that has helped me consult with business owners and leaders. After a few years, I was ready to get back into HR and that’s when I joined Xenium.
What is your favorite part of working for an outsourced HR and payroll firm?
There are so many things I love about it! Because we work with so many different clients, our jobs offer a lot of learning, variety, and the opportunity to make a wide impact. I’ve worked in internal HR positions as well, and I think it’s easier to stay objective in the outsourced model because you aren’t living the day-to-day dynamics. You can sometimes see things that you wouldn’t otherwise, and that can make all the difference in helping a client through something difficult. We also get to pull on experiences and trends we’re seeing across our client base, which means we can tap into a wealth of information and expertise.
What has changed over the years in your experience in this field?
When I started out, it was more common for HR to be seen as rule enforcers rather than strategic partners. Companies have learned that investing in a positive work culture and strong people practices gives them a competitive edge. It’s been great to experience this evolve over the years, where now HR is leveraged as a critical support for employees, leaders, and businesses. Things have also shifted quite a bit since the pandemic. Employees are asking for more, and businesses are prioritizing their employees.
What are the challenges facing our industry in the near and long term?
Economic uncertainty is hitting some industries hard, and HR feels that downstream. Our role is critical in helping organizations make tough decisions now while planning for future needs, including how work is structured, how talent is leveraged, and how to respond to increasing compensation pressures. As conditions improve, recruiting and onboarding demands will likely ramp up quickly. AI is another evolving challenge. While it offers real opportunities to streamline work and redesign certain roles, there’s a risk of over-relying on it when strategic thought-partnership is needed. There will always be a need for the “human” in Human Resources. Compliance also remains a heavy lift as employers expand into more states/cities with increasingly complex labor laws. I’m really proud of the work our team has done to stay on top of 50-state compliance so that our clients don’t have to dedicate heavy resources to manage that internally.
Lastly, companies are still navigating post-COVID flexibility, with many shifting back to full-time in-office work. It will be interesting to see how that impacts engagement and retention, especially as employees expect more autonomy than ever.
Can you tell me about a project or accomplishment that you are particularly proud of?
I’m most proud of what we’ve accomplished as a team. This year, our HR leadership group has leveraged data and key metrics to measure progress and determine areas of focus. As an org, we have prioritized soliciting input from those closest to the work, which has led to more informed decisions and smoother execution. I’m also really proud of our team for navigating a lot of change this year, and continuing to show up energized, engaged and ready for the next challenge. We have an amazing team!
What advice would you give to someone just starting out in this field?
HR is such a broad field & there are a lot of directions you can take it. Keep an open mind, gain as much exposure and experience as you can in different areas, and look for opportunities to develop your soft skills. Building a foundation in things like communication, relationship-building, and strategic thinking will help you be successful in every area of HR. Also, ask for feedback often! In addition to helping you grow, welcoming & incorporating feedback will help you build trust and foster strong relationships in your organization.
Can you tell us about your best memory working with a client?
We are lucky to work with so many great clients and it’s hard to pick just one memory! My favorite moments are when I’ve been able to help a client through something really challenging that’s led to a positive outcome. Some of the things we deal with on a daily basis in HR can be rare and unsettling for clients, and it’s meaningful to be able to offer helpful strategies, moral support, and guidance to get them through it.
How do you see your role evolving in the future, and what are your goals?
As I continue growing in my current role, I’m focused on ensuring our HR team has what they need as the landscape of HR continues to shift and bring new challenges to our work. Our team is deeply committed to providing excellent client service and HR expertise. It’s my job to make it easier for them to deliver on the great work they’re doing.
What do you wish more people knew about working in our industry?
At the core of what we do, it’s about people and problem-solving, which means it never gets boring. Even at this stage in my career, I regularly come across new situations. Our industry is full of people who care deeply and want to help, which is meaningful to be a part of.